STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Today Rep. Isela Blanc, D-Tempe (District 26) is featured
in the State Innovation Exchange’s, also known as SiX, 2017 End-of-Session Legislative Report
for her work standing up against President Donald J. Trump’s proposed border
wall. The report includes a case study
on HB 2446, a bill that Blanc introduced this past legislative session. The bill
would have barred any companies that participate in the building of the border
wall from gaining state contracts.

“I’m proud that our work
to stand up against the costly, divisive and ineffective border wall has been
recognized in SiX’s report. With bills, such as HB 2246, we sent a message to
companies vying to build the border wall: if you pursue this
divisive wall, our state will not support you. Combined with grassroots
pressure, other state legislation and increased media attention, our work
forced many companies to back away from construction of the wall. This shows
that state leaders have the power to stand up to the divisive policies of the
Trump administration and can truly be the front lines of the resistance,” Blanc
said.

SiX,
the organization that released the report, is a national resource and strategy
center that supports the efforts of state lawmakers to strengthen democracy,
fight for working families, defend civil rights and liberties, and protect the
environment.

“States are a vital
battleground for competing visions of our nation’s future, and I’m grateful
that Rep. Blanc and other legislators brought forward a vision for a more inclusive,
prosperous, and united country,” said SiX Executive Director Nick Rathod.

Friday, August 25, 2017

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Today leaders of the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus released this statement after President Donald J. Trump announced his pardon of former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio:"Today’s announcement from President Trump is yet another display of disrespect to the Latino community in Arizona. During Joe Arpaio’s 24 years as the sheriff in Maricopa County, he abused his position of authority to drive a personal agenda that promoted racism."On July 31, 2017, a federal district judge convicted Arpaio of violating the court's previous order to cease his office's immigration-related actions, which another federal judge found violated the constitutional rights of Latino residents in Maricopa County."The members of the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus believe President Trump’s very first presidential pardon reinforces a clear message to the nation about where he stands on respect for the law and for all residents of Arizona. No amount of time will erase Arpaio’s hateful harassment and the fear he instilled in our community, and no one should be above the law." Rep. Diego Espinoza, D-Tolleson (District 19), caucus co-chairSen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe (District 26), caucus co-chairRep. Mark Cardenas, D-Phoenix (District 19), caucus secretary The bipartisan Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus has 17 members from both the state House and Senate. Members hold strategic leadership positions and promote legislation and policies that directly affect Latinos in Arizona. The caucus also encourages more Latinos to engage in the political process through public policy and community events.

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Rep. César Chávez, D-Phoenix (District 29), released this statement in
response to the remarks President Donald J. Trump made regarding the North
American Free Trade Agreement during his visit to Phoenix:

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Today Dr. Geraldine Peten, D-Goodyear (District 4), took the oath of
office and will represent the people of Legislative District 4 in the Arizona
House of Representatives. Her addition
to the Legislature increases female representation at the Capitol to 40
percent, a historical high point for the state according to the National
Conference of State Legislatures.

“I am honored to mark this occasion with Dr. Peten,
and pleased to welcome a woman who has shown so much commitment to our
community to the House of Representatives,” Fernandez said. “She is an asset to
our team.”

Peten, a retired school superintendent and
educational consultant who earned a doctorate in education, curriculum and
instruction, said education policy will be her major focus at the Legislature.

“I am excited to work with this group of
passionate, dedicated individuals who want to continue to make Arizona a better
place to live, learn and raise a family,” Peten said. “I am also pleased to
join Rep. Bolding in increasing the representation of African Americans at the
Legislature. My background and experience will allow me to serve my district
and the state well.”

"I am happy to welcome Geraldine Peten to the
Arizona House of Representatives, and I'm pleased to have the House back in
full membership as session approaches," Mesnard said.

House Democratic Leader Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix
(District 27), looks forward to the insight Peten will bring to the policy-making
process.

“Dr. Peten is a professional and an academic who
will bring a unique perspective on the effects of education policy on our
classrooms,” Rios said. “We are fortunate to have her joining us at the
Capitol.”

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX
– The League of Arizona Cities and Towns recognized 16 Arizona
House Democrats for their commitment to and support of cities and towns during
the 2017 legislative session.

“Arizona is better
served when the state, cities and towns work together.We
know that cities and towns are economic drivers in Arizona and believe that all
levels of government should work together in partnership,” House Democratic
Leader Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix (District 27), said. “My colleagues and I look
forward to our continued cooperation with the League and are grateful for this
recognition.”

The House Democratic leaders were
recognized as Champions of Cities and Towns:

Additionally, the following legislators received the Friends of Cities and Towns Award:

Rep. Lela Alston, D-Phoenix (District 24)

Rep. Isela Blanc, D-Tempe (District 26)

Rep. Reginald Bolding, D-Phoenix (District 27)

Rep. Kelli Butler, D-Paradise Valley (District 28)

Rep. Mark Cardenas, D-Phoenix, (District 19)

Rep. César Chávez, D-Phoenix (District 29)

Rep. Ken Clark, D-Phoenix (District 24)

Rep. Kirsten Engel, D-Tucson (District 10)

Rep. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe (District 18)

Rep. Diego Espinoza, D-Tolleson (District 19)

Rep. Rosanna Gabaldón, D-Sahuarita (District 2)

Rep. Tony Navarrete, D-Phoenix (District 30)

Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe (District 26)

“These state legislators
are consistently watching out for the cities and towns in their districts, and
we appreciate their support and votes,” League Executive Director Ken Strobeck
said.

The League honored the
awardees on Aug. 24 during the 2017 Annual Conference. The conference, held in
Oro Valley this year, is a four-day meeting Aug. 22 – Aug. 25 with mayors,
council members and officials coming together from across the state. For more
information about the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, visit www.azleague.org.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Kids across Arizona are going back to school this month, and most of those students will be headed into public schools. But public school funding remains under attack.

All summer long, the parents and teachers with the Save our Schools coalition worked to collect enough signatures for a referendum on the new law expanding Arizona’s voucher program. They exceeded all expectations and turned in more than 111,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office – well above the 75,000 needed to put the issue on the ballot. (The signatures are currently being verified.)This victory apparently did not sit well with the dark money groups supporting vouchers. They have resorted to “desperate” tactics to keep the voters from weighing in on this. Is it because they know vouchers harm public schools by setting up two education systems and forcing taxpayers to fund both? And by pitting these two school systems against each other for funding, vouchers are making it harder for the state to fix the teacher shortage crisis. These problems are exacerbated by the potential for fraud. Voucher program oversight is “almost a sham.” The public cannot see how their tax dollars are being spent in schools that aren’t required to meet certain state standards. These issues inspired parents, teachers and thousands of volunteers to help the Save Our Schools coalition stop voucher expansion. This group is continuing to fight dark money opponents because Arizonans should get the final word on vouchers. House Democrats agree that we should be investing in our public schools. If there is money to expand vouchers in our state, there should be money to raise teacher salaries and reduce class sizes. We’ll stand with the students, teachers and parents in Arizona until our public schools are thriving.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Rep. Reginald Bolding, D-Phoenix (District 27), released this
statement after the vandalism of confederate monuments in Arizona:

“Vandalizing these monuments is not productive.
This will not lead to the civil discourse and debate that we have been calling
for. It is a short-term action that does not help the long-term goal of having
these offensive monuments removed from state property.”

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – On Tuesday, Aug. 15, Rep. Isela Blanc, D-Tempe (District 26), and other community leaders will mark the anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA."We will celebrate the success of DACA, while acknowledging that the future of the program is in jeopardy. We need tell our leaders to protect the economic benefits this program brings to our state," Blanc said.

We will continue to stand with the immigrant
communities that enrich Arizona every day. Since the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
program, also known as DACA, was put into place, the economic
impact on Arizona has been tremendous. This program has
allowed hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants to stay in the
U.S. to work or earn an education. As a
border state, we cannot stand to lose this emerging workforce. They have shown,
if given the opportunity, they will embrace our values and strengthen our
economy.

On Tuesday, August 15, Rep. Isela Blanc, D-Tempe (District
26), along with other community leaders, will stand together to mark the anniversary
of DACA. They will celebrate its successes, while acknowledging that the future
of DACA is in jeopardy. We need you to tell our leaders to protect DACA and the
economic benefits the program brings to our state.